Joyce MacDonald

Joyce MacDonald Biography 1927-2017

Helen Joyce Anderson was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia January 12, 1927. Her parents were John Robert Anderson and his wife Minnie (nee Robinson). She had one older brother Alfred and one younger sister, Dawn

.

From an early age, she loved music, especially classical music. It was an important part of her family life. Joyce was quite talented and over the years won many awards for voice, violin, and piano.

Joyce went to high school in New Glasgow where she played some basketball. During her school years, her spare time was mostly occupied by studying and practicing music. She was also an avid reader which she continued most of her adult life. She graduated from New Glasgow High School in 1947 before entering Acadia University in the music program. It was while she was attending the university that she met Fraser MacDonald, who would be her best friend, her soul mate, and partner for life, Joyce and Fraser lived only a mile apart growing up but it wasn’t until they were attending the university that their paths crossed. One of their favorite things to do while they were dating was to go skating in the evening. So it was appropriate that it was a winter’s evening, December 31, 1948, that they eloped and began their married life together. Joyce and Fraser were married in Salt Springs Nova Scotia by reverend Doug Gas.

Joyce was the mother of two children Robert who was born in Toronto and Gary who was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. Gary has one son John. Joyce loved her grandson very much.

Joyce’s passion for music continued her entire life. When she was growing up in New Glasgow she won many first prizes in voice, violin, and piano including winning the best of the festival. She would later enter Algoma University and graduated in 1981 with a degree in arts. In Sault Ste. Marie, she taught private students for many years and had a group called the Treble Tones. A few of her students also went on to become music teachers. Joyce had a beautiful voice and played the piano, violin, viola. and recorder. Joyce was a music consultant in Sault Ste Marie public school system until the music consultants program was discontinued. She then entered teachers college, in North Bay, and obtained her teacher's license. Joyce taught in the classroom until she retired in 1988.

Fraser’s work took them to New Glasgow Nova Scotia, Corner Brook Newfoundland, Toronto, London and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Joyce was always active in church music everywhere she lived. In Sault Ste Marie she was a member of Saint Andrews United church where she sang in the choir. Joyce was also a member, for a number of years, of Central United where she was in the choir and took part in a group that rang musical bells.

' Joyce hobbies consisted of amateur radio, compiling ancestry information and keeping up her photograph scrapbooks. She was very active in CLARA which is the ladies branch of amateur radio. Joyce loved to skate and curl and was an active curler for many years. She won a number of awards in mixed and ladies curling. In her later years, she loved to watch curling on television.

Joyce received a 70-year pin as a member of the Eastern Star and was a life member of the New Glasgow Chapter. She was also a member of Nokomis chapter in Sault Ste Marie where she served one year as Worthy Matron.

Joyce and Fraser were married for sixty-eight years and had a very happy marriage. Joyce loved her summers at the cottage on Brown's Island where she enjoyed gardening both flowers and vegetables. Joyce loved the seven dogs that were part of the family over the years. One summer with another lady, she traveled to Greece, which she enjoyed.

.

Joyce died 2017-02-16 at about 8:30 AM at Sault Ste. Marie area hospital. The cause of death was Ischemia of the bowel.

MACDONALD, Joyce – Passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Sault Area Hospital at the age of 90. Beloved wife and best friend of Fraser for 68 years. Loving mother of Bob (Christiane) and Gary. Proud Nana of John. Joyce will be fondly remembered by Sharon. Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Joyce was very passionate about music and loved to share her passion of music with her students throughout her many years of teaching. Joyce was also a proud member of the Eastern Star for more than 70 years. Friends are invited to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 11 am until 12:30 pm. Service in the chapel at 1 pm. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family. Many thanks to the outstanding staff at the SAH for their care and compassion at this most difficult time.

Members of the Eastern Star are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 12:15 pm for a memorial service at 12:30 pm for the late Joyce MacDonald.

* * * * * * * * * *

MACDONALD, Joyce – Passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at the Sault Area Hospital at the age of 90. Beloved wife and best friend of Fraser for 68 years. Loving mother of Bob (Christiane) and Gary. Proud Nana of John. Joyce will be fondly remembered by Sharon. Aunt of many nieces and nephews. Joyce was very passionate about music and loved to share her passion of music with her students throughout her many years of teaching. Joyce was also a proud member of the Eastern Star for more than 70 years. Friends are invited to the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 11 am until 12:30 pm. Service in the chapel at 1 pm. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Interment Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family. Many thanks to the outstanding staff at the SAH for their care and compassion at this most difficult time.

Members of the Eastern Star are requested to assemble at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 12:15 pm for a memorial service at 12:30 pm for the late Joyce MacDonald.